hopes that you have turned your tube off.

The idea behind the week is to have students and parents rediscover that life can be more constructive, rewarding, healthy and even informed without the TV.

"With literacy regarded as one of the top concerns in Bermuda today, we are also encourage people to spend more time reading alone or with your children,'' said Reading Association Vice-President Ameenah Ahad.

Studies have shown that TV watching does affect children's chances of success in school and their behaviour.

BRA suggests moving the TV into the closet to help you break the TV habit.

People are less tempted to watch it when it is not available.

If you are one of those people that have the TV on to make noise, try listening to music instead or turning the radio on.

BRA also suggest that parents encourage their children to take part in household activities to get their minds off the TV and it gives them the opportunity to help out.

Once the week is up, evaluate how things went. Is your family more relaxed, more productive, more creative? Even though TV Turn Off Week ends on Sunday, it may be something families will want to do longer.

*** Activities for children and families: 1. Blow bubbles 2. Colour April 10 to 16 on a calendar and write `National TV Turn Off Week' 3. Build a fort in the living room and camp out for the night 4. Research your family history and draw a family tree 5. Make a sign or banner to tape to your television stating that it's `National TV Turn Off Week' 6. Play an outdoor game such as hopscotch, hide and seek or freeze-tag 7. Play a board game with your family or friends 8. Clean up or redecorated your room 9. Make a puppet out of an old sock and have a puppet show 10. Build and fly a kite 11. Go on a family trip or historical excursion 12. Create a collage out of pictures from old magazines 13. Plan a slumber party 14. Bake cookies or a cake and invite your friends over for a tea party 15. Write a letter to your grandparents or make them a special card 16. Make a costume out of brown paper bag and have a parade 17. Create `sidewalk art' with chalk 18. Have a big party to celebrate a TV free week *** American TV Statistics: Time the average American watches TV each day: 3 hours, 46 minutes Number of videos rented daily in US: 6 million Number of public library books checked out: 3 million Average number of hours per week American one year-old watches TV: 6 Number of hours recommended by American Paediatric Association for children under two: 0 Minutes per week parents spend in meaningful conversation with children: 38.5 Minutes per week the average child watches TV: 1,331 Hours per year the average American youth is in school: 900 Hours per year the average American youth spends watching TV: 1,154 Number of murders seen on TV by the end of elementary school: 8,000 Number of junk-food ads during four hours of Saturday morning cartoons: 202 Estimated number of TV commercials seen before graduating high school: 360,000 *** Activities for all ages: 1. Visit the library.

2. Listen to the radio.

3. Write an article or story.

4. Paint a picture.

5. Read a book. Read to someone else.

6. Go bird watching. Learn the names of local birds.

7. Learn to change the oil or tyre on a car.

8. Write a letter to a friend or relative.

9. Walk the dog.

10. Bake cookies and bread. Make homemade jam. Share with neighbour.

11. Plant a garden. Work in your own garden.

12. Read a magazine or newspaper. Swap them with friend.

13. Go through your closet and cloths. Donate surplus items to charity. Have a garage sale.

14. Start a diary or journal.

15. Take a nature hike.

16. Attend a religious service.

17. Make crafts to give as gifts.

18. Do a crossword puzzle.

19. Watch the night sky through binoculars. Identify different constellations Observe the moon.

20. Learn to use a compass.

21. Organise a game of football or basketball at the local park.

22. Learn about a different culture. Have an international dinner party.

23. Go for a bicycle ride.

24. Teach a child some of your favourite childhood games.

25. Take photographs. Organise photos into an album.

26. Study sign language.

27. Write a letter to your favourite author.

28. Cook dinner with friends or family.

29. Do yard work.

30. Attend a live sports event.

31. Make cards for the holidays or birthdays.

32. Play chess, bridge or checkers.

33. Play soccer, softball or volleyball.

34. Play charades.

35. Have a cup of tea and a conversation.

36. Workout.

37. Repair or refinish a piece of furniture.

38. Read a favourite poem.

39. Watch the sunset or sunrise with a friend.